Murder investigation opens after Upper Street stabbing

FORENSIC detectives are in Upper Street tonight (Monday) after a man was stabbed to death.

Police and paramedics were called at around 6.30pm but the man, aged in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cordons remain in place on Upper Street near the Town Hall and on Barnsbury Street.

No arrests have yet been made but the Met Police said although the investigation is in “very early stages” they are hunting two male suspects believed to have been involved in the incident.

Officers are also working to trace the man’s next of kin and await formal identification.

St Mary’s Church has offered people who cannot get to their homes a place to wait.

Reverend Simon Harvey said: “I’m horrified that once again our community has been rocked by a knife murder. We’ve seen too much of this. Too much anguish. Too many grieving hearts.

“My prayers tonight are with all who are bereaved and I urge anyone who has information to share it with the police. Our church has been open for displaced residents while police have closed certain streets.”

A Highbury Fields resident, who wished not to be named, passed the scene shortly after the attack and said the road was busy.

She said: “My first thought was surprise that there was a huge queue outside Udderlicious (ice cream shop). Then I realised [something had happened] as I got closer.”

The stabbing happened close to where Jonathan “JJ” McPhillips was stabbed outside the Town Hall in February 2017. He died in hospital days later. A man was charged in February this year with his murder.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a tweet he was in close contact with the Met Police, Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry and Town Hall leader Richard Watts.